An environmental group is urging the local government of Davao City to protect the watershed and monitor closely all resorts built at critical watershed zones.

The group, Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), said several resorts have been built at the Panigan-Tamugan watershed, which is classified as critical watershed zone.

This means that putting up facilities and other structures is prohibited to protect the watershed, especially that this serves as a source of drinking water and habitat for aquatic animals.

“Ang critical watershed zone man gud, naa siya diha sa Panigan-Tamugan. Kung unsa man ang activities nila didto maapil gyud na og ka-collect didto there are filtration and treatment systems that was put in place but it is one of our protection measures to clear the head waters because these are conservation area,” IDIS Environmental Planner/Coordinator, Enp. Lemuel Panalo, said.

IDIS wanted the Barangay Watershed Management Council reactivated.

The group added that Marilog, Paquibato, and Baguio Districts need to be monitored.

“Kailangan na i-establish ang Barangay Watershed Management Council because it is one of the tasks of our barangays to do the micro-monitoring of the development of these areas kay magka-problema man gud ta ani in the long run because of the influx of people, the ways and different pollution,” Panalo added.

IDIS also urged all agencies concerned to monitor the social media accounts of these resorts.

After the City Council passed the Panigan-Tamugan Watershed Ordinance, IDIS is now working on the declaration of the watershed as national protected area to strengthen its preservation and protection.